For this special occasion, MOA will stay open late—until 9 pm—with an evening full of festivities. Visit the Dia de los Muertos altar in MOA’s Haida House, created by local Mexican artist Paloma Morales, and contribute photos and mementos of your loved ones to the altar. Take a guided tour of MOA’s bilingual English-Spanish feature exhibition Xicanx: Dreamers + Changemakers / Soñadores + creadores del cambio. Enjoy traditional Day of the Dead treats such as pan de muerto, hot chocolate, and tamales by by Antojos y Sabores.

We encourage visitors to attend in costumes.

Program

Learn how to make your own Day of the Dead altar with artist Paloma Morales | 4 – 5 pm
Performance by Mariachi Los Dorados | 5:30 pm
Performance by Casa Meshiko-Mexica Aztec Dance Group | 6:30 pm
Face painting and button making in the lobby | 5 – 9 pm
Zine making (for all ages) | 5 – 9 pm
Traditional Day of the Dead treats (hot chocolate, coffee, pan de muerto) (free); Tamales by Antojos y Sabores (for sale) | 5 – 9 pm
Guided and self-guided tours of Xicanx: Dreamers + Changemakers / Soñadores + creadores del cambio | On the hour, from 5 – 9 pm

Bios

Los Dorados is Canada’s premier 12-piece mariachi ensemble. Los Dorados is a collection of musical talent playing the finest of Mexican traditional music, with their own unique northern twist. Since 2003, under the leadership of bandleader, vocalist and guitarist Alex Alegria, Los Dorados have been sharing the passion, love and respect for this internationally recognized art form. “There is something very mystical about mariachi music,” says Alegria. “It always tells a story, with its great mixture of culture, history, romance and elegance. It’s a musical style that brings people together, no matter who they are.” For over a decade, Los Dorados have played at events and festivals across Canada, in the US and Mexico, with feature performances at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, the 2011 and 2012 Calgary Stampede and a number of times at the Guadalajara International Mariachi Festival.

Casa Meshiko-Mexica Aztec Dance Group is dedicated to preserving the traditions and rituals of the pre-Hispanic culture of Mexico and share the meanings and experience of the dance with others in a participatory way. Aztec dance represents all of like through its movements. It acts as a conduit to a higher energy source, creating a unity that proclaims its spiritual connection with the Sun, the Earth, and all of the elements. Before they dance, they pray to the six directions by singing a song in Nahuatl, the ancient language of Mexico. They will welcome the workshop participants to join with them as they face the different directions with song and the blowing of the conch. This beginning ritual honours the directions; the different elements of nature, the ancestors, the elders, medicine people and all the participants.

This event is hosted in partnership with Latincouver, as part of the Latin American Heritage Month Festival. 

For the Fourth consecutive year, Latincouver will celebrate Latin American Heritage Month in BC, by bringing a series of interactive events that include a combination of artists’ performances, art exhibitions, online webinars, forums, and events to commemorate the rich and fascinating Latin American heritage and its influence in BC and Canada.